The marquee match of Tuesday turned out to be just that when the unpredictable Ernests Gulbis clashed with rising talent Grigor Dimitrov in the third round at Indian Wells.

The two had split two close meetings a month ago, and this match continued off that trend.

Dimitrov raced out to quick 6-2 first set, then the Gulbis onslaught took the second 6-2. The finale was nip-and-tuck, with Gulbis doing the most of the damage, and eventually the Latvian broke through at 5-5 behind a cracking backhand winner, then calmly served it out for a 2-6, 6-1, 7-5 win.

In the fourth round tomorrow, Ernests meets Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut who ended Jarkko Neiminen’s run in a final set breaker.

Elsewhere, with Rafael Nadal out Novak Djokovic becomes the tournament favorite, though the Serb isn’t playing like it. After a patchy opening round win over Victor Hanescu, the two-time Indian Wells champion Djokovic needed three sets to oust little known Alejandro Gonzalez 6-1, 3-6, 6-1.

“It took me a little bit [of time] to get used to his game,” said Djokovic, a winner in 2008 and 2011. “But I thought I played really well from the start… Then suddenly I just had a big loss of concentration and allowed him to win the second set for no reason. [I] bounced back better in the third.”

Djokovic will need his concentration tomorrow against the red-hot Marin Cilic who continued his run – he’s reached the finals in three straight tournaments, winning two with a 16-1 record! – by hammering Tommy Robredo 6-4, 6-3.

“I’ve played him several times on different surfaces. We haven’t played each other for quite a long time,” said Djokovic who’s beaten Cilic in all seven of their matches.

“He’s more aggressive,” said Djokovic. “He’s using his serve as a big advantage nowadays, and also I feel like he’s moving better on the court. I have been watching him playing some big matches. He won against [Andy] Murray in Rotterdam in straight sets. He can definitely can play. And not just play, I mean, he can win against top players. That’s why I do not even for a second underestimate him.

“I’m coming into the match knowing that I’m going to have to be playing on top of my game in order to win that match. I’m going to get myself ready for it.”

Fernando Verdasco pulled the (mild) upset of the day beating Richard Gasquet 7-6, 6-1. Fellow countryman Feliciano Lopez made in three Spaniard in the Rafa-less fourth round by knocking out Mikhail Kukushkin.

In late men’s matches, Juliean Benneteau bested the young talent Austrian Dominic Thiem and John Isner rolled Rendy Lu.

Off her Maria Sharapova upset, Camila Giorgi had nothing for fellow Italian Flavia Pennetta who took the match over the qualifier 6-2, 6-1.

And in the match of the day featuring two future stars, Simona Halep handled Genie Bouchard 6-2, 1-6, 6-4.

“It wasn’t my best tennis today, but I was fighting a lot,” said Halep. “I did well. I think I came back in the third set very well. I was more relaxed than the second set because I was very nervous at that time.

“But everything I could I did today during the match, and I am really happy that I won because I know she’s a great player and she’s improving tournament by tournament.”

Li Na and Sloane Stephens were in late night action in the desert.

On a very busy Wednesday, all eight men’s fourth rounders are scheduled plus two women’s quarters (Halep v Dellacqua and Jankovic v Radwanska).

After a day off, Roger Federer and Andy Murray return. Federer faces friend and fellow 30+ Tommy Haas. Murray opens the day on Stadium 1 against Milos Raonic in a match of two guys still trying to make their way after injury.

Federer and Stanislas Wawrinka will both play twice tomorrow, first in singles then as a team in doubles against US Open champions Paes/Stepanek.

Tons of awesome match ups to come. Raonic-Murray Cilic-Djoker. I was surprised that Nishokori didn’t come through. I saw his previous match and he was hitting the ball so well. Djokovic and Stan have got to be the favorites followed closely by Fed and Murray(if he ever pulls it together) Gulbis looks pretty good, his backhand is unreal when its clickin. Pretty excited for the next few rounds.

I m rly not surprised at all with the gulbis-dimitrov outcome and I m hugely impressed with gulbis of late, irrespective of his off-court hysterics. He rly has the game to take to any player. I think, all he need is one good coach who help him channel his energy in the right direction and also make him mentally tough. I still feel, its only the mental toughness thats what separates the top dogs from these immensely talented boys. A lot of times, we see these boys take the lead, blasting shots at all corners for winners and then losing tamely in the TBs or in the deciding sets….just nerves, i think.

Anyways, this year IW is really killing all prediction games….i actually picked dimitrov by hunch….LOL!

^ For some reason I always think of Gulbis and Cilic being Andole’s contemporaries, whereas Dimi is the next generation.
Will be very interesting to see what Gulbis can achieve once he puts his mind to it.

Gulbis’s backhand is a thing of beauty. His forehand? Not so much. That wing can still break down under pressure. He’s mentally in the right place at the moment, but if he can improve his forehand he will have a better chance at winning the bigger events.

When you consider that Gulbis had fallen from the top 100 in 2012, he has done well. He worked himself out of a hole the hard way, at least the hard way from an average professional world tennis tour player point of view. He played challengers in 2012 and decided to give himself a serious chance. His playing activity tells a story, a story I don’t exactly know, but I’ll give it my best guess. What I can’t guess is if he will have the heart, mind and soul to keep working hard. The choice appears there for him to throw in the towel and quit at any time.

But he has come this far. Come on, Ernests Gulbis, keep going, you can do it, you know you can! We love watching you play tennis.
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Dimitrov has a different story. However, what may be true is that the choice by now, as with Gulbis, to never pick up a tennis racket again, is on the table. Hopefully someone is there to kick his talented butt when necessary.

I can vouch for how Djokovic describes what happened to him in the 2nd set during his match with newcomer, Alejandro Gonzalez. Novak”s description is what I saw, too. Gonzales could not match Djokovic’s level the first set. I was happy when Gonzales got a game. I switched streams thinking that the match would be over super quick, why watch it, right? When I next checked the score, Djokovic was down a break and I laughed thinking my favorite player had left planet earth. As for Djokovic, there is nothing apparently wrong with him physically. Mentally though, since AO, I have wondered if his mind is on tennis. It is none of my business what his mind is on – I just hope he continues to play tennis because Djokovic playing his best tennis is an awesome sight. Ajde Nolee

I’m not surprised that Dimitrov lost this one. After winning Acapulco in very difficult conditions, I really didn’t see him doing much in Indian Wells – it just seemed like a bit too much to ask of him. Having said that, I think he ought to be fresher and do better in Miami.

This just shows that he’s got a way to go before he is where he needs to be physically, but one thing I’ve noticed is that Dimitrov has A LOT of nervous energy, and that can sap you. And when you 1st serve percentage drops and you start making a lot of UE’s, that’s often a sign of fatigue. For these reasons I’m not surprised.

As for Gulbis…I don’t think he’s the real deal. He’s a good player, but I don’t see him making a big impact in the game – technically he’s all over the place, and he seems to lose his concentration a lot. His forehand is a disaster, and Dimitrov would have done well to keep the ball low on that side, but I think he was too tired to think that one through.

I will say I rather enjoy Gulbis’ interviews. He’s irascible, but he is as critical of himself as he is of anyone else.

I don’t think Gulbis has enough between the ears. He is very immature and goes off on tangents during matches loses focus. Do I think he’s a good player?? Yes……but he has lots of growing up to do, imo.
His attitude needs an overhaul!

@Ben……Didn’t mean to echo your post at 8:12…we were both on the same wave length. I agree about the consistency aspect…….that’s what separates the men from the boys……being consistent week in and week out. But it is possible for a win out of the young guns once in awhile……..ask Rafa! Lol

I should have read all of the comments before I commented, then I could have just agreed and saved all of the finger exercises! LOL

I would like to have a word with Mr. Gulbis…..I would tell him to give his son a good swift kick to his behind……He is in dire need of an attitude adjustment! I got several of those growing up! Lol
Ernests has had some great battles against these top guys a few years back, but what’s happened that he’s never really moved up in the rankings? I guess his
heart WASN’T in it at the time, and now he’s getting serious, rather sad in my books, for he is talented……hopefully he is not getting fired up too late.

He is probably right about Bautista-Agut and Dimitrov. He should know a “spoiled princess” when he runs across one…like himself. Takes one to know one.

But that is what I like about him. He he has this narrative now about a boy on the verge of being a success story – spoiled prince, grows up and makes good story – mostly on his own after he has worn out family and friends. It is far from over, there is plenty of time for him to drop out of the top 100 again but I say he does have enough between the ears and he is just the guy to get how to make a (tolerably) palatable ending.

He is not the story of Federer for sure, OR Nadal
OR Djokovic, or Andy Murray. Give him a chance or not. It’s nice to have a range of characters on board the ATP.

Okiegal, I am a tennis fan with a lot of favorites, male and female. I like having at least several characters to follow. That does not mean I can always support their behavior or predict what they choose correctly. I have been following the Gulbis narrative, as if it were a study in anthropology. 2012 I had to admit I had been wrong about him and it is not over yet. It is just nice to be right about him for a while.

Well, I will agree that I do like his interviews most of the time, he’s has a cute personality and can be very humorous at times. But I do think it would be in his best interest as a successful player to leave the drama off the court. When he gets on a tirade, he just won’t give it up…..now that can’t be good for his game imo. We will see……something spoiled usually stinks!

If tennis fans are old enough to remember and are paying attention, Federer was hyped and took too long for many of his fans to make good on his talent. And as for Nadal, he always had the work ethic, the talent, but his forehand is ugly and unorthodox to many. Federer and Nadal are game changers in tennis history now. But they are not the last ones! Room for more, step aside Fedal.

I prefer the Gulbis forehand of 2008. His body has changed, he has changed, perhaps he had to alter it. It’s not a pretty sight but he would not be the first tennis player to make the top ten with a weakness or two trumped by hard work and talent.

I think Federer beats his buddy Haas, maybe even in 3. I like Gulbis, Wawrinka (in 3), Isner and Benneteau.

Fognini/Dog is difficult but I’ll take the Dog. He’s riding the hot hand and like I said playing for more than just himself.

Cilic is playing better than Novak but Novak just has to win this, plus he owns the Croat 7-0 so Novak is my pick.

And the toughest match of the day is about to start. Raonic hasn’t played much, Murray’s played like crap. I think Murray won’t be that bad again (he can’t be, can he?) and win this. Though this one feels 50/50. If I felt Raonic was 100% in form I’d take the Canadian but it’s hard to know where his game is at.

I think the Rafa/Andy prank must have been last year. Andy has mentioned it in interviews before. Apparently he told the story again today. I think it’s weighing heavy on his mind……..for revenge!! LOL Andy and Rafa seem to have good rapport, which I think is pretty neat! I have really grown to love Andy…..he’s the greatest at giving interviews, imo. Good luck to him and his fans…..glad the back is coming along!

Sean,
“Though this one feels 50/50.”
Apparently spot on there, Although you picked Murray. Watching the match it looked like for most of the match it could have gone either way. Nonetheless a good win for the Canadian.

Milos battles nerves by having blind faith in his serve. Every match where he is serving for the win he starts cranking the serve and invariably that last service game has at least 2 aces. So it was today.

Raonic is now 3-1 against Murray. Tomorrow it’ll be against the Dog Man, and I don’t think they have met before.

Really I haven’t a clue why Djokovic seems so easily distracted this tournament but he does. He looks skyward, eyes role, facial muscles twitch and dimple. The mind is not on tennis like it could be. The Gonzalez match confirmed that.

It is fine if he needs a (small) break from tennis mentally as long as he gets back to his best soon. I am patiently waiting, while, he plays on, winning or losing ugly.

I picked him to win because that is what I do. Honestly, Marin Cilic could win this match tonight. It would not surprise me. I intend to be watching – expecting nothing – no disappointment.

Although i think Gulbis is right,Gulbis is talented but seems full of big talk,would be nice if he could back up his big talk with some big results on the court,a touch of mind games i think,the difference is Grigor is going about his buisness quietly.

Did not watch Gulbis match, but from all the comments I will watch the replay on ESPN3.COM……sounds interesting. He is a character and sometimes he’s funny and sometimes stupid! He needs to settle down…….imo.

Wawrinka looked down and out, a set and 1-3 down in the second and facing break points for 1-4, but he stayed alive, got a second wind, and then broke back. Body language much more positive now, almost sure he will take it into a third set.

How does Novak win two sets 6-1 6-1 and lose a set…what’s up with that?? Didn’t watch It. He better do it in straights because if he should lose the first set, big time nerves could set in. I’m still picking him and Stan in the finals, but would make things interesting if the young guns got in the finals……but really don’t see that happening. Fed is definitely playing great tennis and if it gets down to him and Stan…..does Stan have it in him to rough up his pal?? We will see and I hope they play.

And more seeds fall. Andy’s match was weird. He was doing fine up until the end of the 2nd set. Then after going up a break in the 3rd he started missing easy shots. The road back is a long one. I won’t panic until the grass court season. Delpo took 9 months to get his groove back.

So Stan didn’t live up to expectations. He had been playing better than any of the top 10 until today. If Roger gets by Tommy I can’t see Andersen stopping him. Looks like a Nole-Roger final.

What the heck happened with Stan? I am blown away by this. As I have said more than once…..tennis is a fickle sport and this tournament is proof!
I will watch the replay and see for myself. I haven’t read any articles about it, I came to this thread first and saw your comment to me…..yeah, very surprised and so disappointed…I did want to see the AO champion play his fellow countryman….but not this time!!

The commentators are a bit stumped as well. Final set Nole served the opening game and Robbie the commentator to the other said, “What kind of car would Novak be.” No answer from the other commentator. I am not sure there was an answer. lol…

Very little commentary going on at all from Robbie and whats his name. I don’t know who the other one is.

Final set Marin has yet to get a game it is, 3-0 Nole but I think Cilic will avoid the bagel, yes he does, and Nole is has the one break. I wonder if that will be enough? I am scared the first set weirdness will return. Ajdee Nolee

Skeezer/Okiegal@March 12th 11.20 i might from time to time do a sabatical from all the silly trash talking,but if i dont continually blog all day or night it might be due to having real life issues ie work or something personal,and hopefully even Van Orton understands that,but im not one to bail out when the going gets a little bit tough,as a fan you have to take the rough with the smooth,winning and losing is all part of the game.

I am sure the Umpire gave Anderson a full medical report (in triplicate for good measure) with details of the physical ailments afflicting Wawa, checked with the trainer to ensure treatment couldn’t take place on court where Anderson could watch, and explained why to Anderson’s approval.

After all, those are Anderson’s rights, right? Still, can’t understand why he didn’t put on a spoilt princess outfit meself, rights are rights…….

I see what you mean……needing to get away from it all at times. I’m just too stubborn that I wouldn’t want some non Rafa fan to think I went into hiding because Rafa got beat. I love the game and enjoy watching a lot of players. I do get aggravated about all of the insults Rafa gets and then I’ll say something tacky about someone else……..it’s called RETALIATION……if you get my drift! I guess I will hang in there, because our guy needs all the help he can get!